Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
The Lava Witch are one of Toronto's best kept secrets. So well-kept, in fact that they're virtually unknown in the downtown core. Which is really too bad because whether they know this or not, they share a deep-seated affinity with the new batch of bands bubbling up in the Toronto indie scene.
They write songs that are, in turns, intense, complicated and undeniably
catchy. It was a blast for me to be able to introduce The Lava Witch to a wider Toronto audience by having them open for North of America (October 9th, 2005).
The time is coming for the angular-rock torch to be passed on from the old guard to the up-and-comers, of which The Lava Witch is at the forefront. - Wavelength
Discography
The Lava Witch - demo (out of print)
Released in January 2005.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
A typical show for The Lava Witch involves lots of clapping in rhythm, audience members reaching for the microphone, and the eager crowd erupting in dancing fits.
Formed in a basement in Mississauga, Ontario during the Fall of 2004, The Lava Witch quickly established themselves as one of the freshest, most original new bands on the scene. With a sound that combines four-on-the-floor dance intensity with punk rock ethics and attitude, huge singalong (and clap-worthy) choruses, and jarring guitar and basslines, TLW has owned audiences everywhere in Southern Ontario in just a few short months.
In these few short months, the band has attracted the attention of several reputable local area promoters and has shared the stage with acclaimed and diverse acts, such as: The Most Serene Republic (Arts & Crafts), The Junction (Universal), Bedouin Soundclash (SideOneDummy), Mare (Hydrahead), AIDS Wolf, Sleepersetsail (Sonic Unyon) Ninja High School (Blocks Recording Club), The Vulcan Dub Squad, Meligrove Band (v2), and The Old Soul (Universal).
Influences are vast: Everything from Captain Beefheart and Jandek to various hardcore and punk rock influences are present in their sound. Their sound is tough to put a label on, but the band has been compared to Captain Beefheart, Q and Not U, and Arab on Radar, as vast and unique as those bands are.
Original members are Nate Duplay (drums) and Andre Thieriault (guitar/vocals), who quickly added frontman Josh Elliot to round out the lineup. After an initial show in October as a three-piece, Chris Hadzipetros (formerly of Toronto hardcore band, I Spoke) joined on bass and backing vocals. This is The Lava Witch.
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